March 2009 Archives

Dear Readers,

Even with former mayor Cathy Porter sitting next to him, the project director's update presentation to the council did not go over well, particularly the part about needing an increase in funds to, . . . well, to pay more to the project director. The amount of work, he said, is much more than anticipated, and the current amount granted by the city does not cover his time adequately.

Dear Readers,

The citizens committees approacheth the city council dais, and yea, they sitteth before those wise councilors, and speaketh they of proud deeds they hath performed and lo, they chatteth aimlessly with the mighty councilmembers. Thus, behold, the council from on high blesseth them and chatteth a bit more, heedless of the time they wasteth of observers who would rather be doing their taxeth.

Dear Readers

The city's speed cameras will "go live" on St. Patrick's day, says Mayor Bruce Williams. There will be a 2 week period in which people will receive warnings, then around April Fools Day, fine-levying tickets will be issued. At the same March 9 city council meeting councilmember Josh Wright asserted that pedestrian safety, not income generation, was the motive for installing the cameras. The reverse has been claimed by a number of local cynics writing on community listserves and certain blogs. Wright said that the city's share of the income (a percentage goes to the independent contractor who sets up and runs the cameras) will only be spent on pedestrian safety.

Dear Readers,

The Washington Adventist Hospital (WAH) is leaving, or so it hopes. It has to get state approval before it does, but other than that, it is all ready to move to an upcounty, suburban location remote from all the uninsured poor people in our area who flood their emergency room, cutting into their profit margin.